(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana's efforts to improve its criminal justice system while keeping citizens safe is entering a new phase thanks to technical assistance from the National Institute of Corrections (NIC).

"The assistance allows us to continue to work to enhance the Indiana criminal justice system," said David Powell, executive director of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council and vice-chair of the statewide initiative.

NIC will provide Indiana with technical assistance to implement mental health and substance abuse treatment, crime risk reduction strategies, effective responses to offender behavior, professional development of criminal justice professionals, and improved data collection at all stages of the justice system.

Objective data collection and lessons learned will serve as a basis for the statewide improvements to Indiana's criminal justice system in the process known as Evidence Based Decision Making (EBDM). EBDM is an initiative to improve the criminal justice system to create a safer and healthier Indiana while ensuring criminal justice decisions are informed by data and based on best practices.

Participating counties are Allen, Bartholomew, Grant, Hamilton, Hendricks, Jefferson, Monroe, Porter, St. Joseph, Starke, and Tipton. Grant County was one of seven initial pilot sites nationally and has successfully reduced the number of days between criminal arrests and case dispositions. Grant County's experiences and leadership will prove invaluable to Indiana as other counties collaborate through EBDM to enhance public safety and health.

Indiana Supreme Court Justice Steven David, chair of the effort, said, "Indiana is proud to be one of only two states to receive assistance from the National Institute of Corrections and we look forward to continue working with our diverse group of stakeholders." The state team meets on February 3 at 30 S. Meridian, 8th floor from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and throughout 2017.